I do not want my mother's love or
the way she hangs her secrets 'round my neck
I do not want my mother's love or
her words that sink as stones in the gut
I do not want my mother's love or
the screaming that breaks my ears
I do not want my mother's love or
the scorching of her gaze on my flesh
I do not want my mother's love or
her awful grip on my child sized arms
I do not want my mother's love or
the unfair guilt she tries to drown me in
I do not want my mother's love or
the pain she caused that made me hurt myself

I do not want my mother
I do not need my mother

For when I wanted my mother
and when I needed my mother

She did not want me.